Accused Presbyterian pastor gives up his ministry

Associated Press - breaking on the wire | November 15, 2002

[NYer]

MOUNT KISCO, N.Y. (AP) _ A respected Presbyterian pastor who was removed from his duties because of allegations of sexual misconduct with boys has resigned as a minister.

The Rev. Jack Miller _ a former ``Citizen of the Year,'' told parishioners at Mount Kisco Presbyterian Church that while he still denies the specifics of the misconduct allegations, ``I openly acknowledge that many years ago, before I came to accept myself as a gay man, I did things that were wrong and inappropriate to my position as a minister.'' In a separate letter, Miller informed the Hudson River Presbytery, representing Presbyterian churches in seven counties north of New York City, that he was stepping down as a minister.

Sgt. James Carroll of the New Castle Police Department said that earlier this year, a man alleged that Miller had abused him in the early 1980s. The case could not be prosecuted because the statute of limitations had expired, he said. Miller's resignation averts a church trial.

Miller was named ``Citizen of the Year'' by the Mount Kisco Chamber of Commerce and was honored by the Westchester Hispanic Coalition after helping start Neighbors Link, a community center that aids immigrant day laborers. In recent years, when the Presbyterian Church (USA) was divided over the place of homosexuals, Miller was a leading advocate for gay rights. His church sent a letter announcing it would ignore a church law banning the ordination of gays and lesbians.

AP-ES-11-15-02 0826EST

[NYer]

His church sent a letter announcing it would ignore a church law banning the ordination of gays and lesbians.

If anyone doubts media bias, here is yet one more example. The pope announces that he is considering banning homosexuals from the priesthood and the media is outraged; yet the Presbyterians are given no heed. It's doubtful that this story will ever be picked up by the major media because the minister is not a celibate, catholic priest .

[FormerLib]

It's doubtful that this story will ever be picked up by the major media because the minister is not a celibate, catholic priest.

Nothing to see here, folks. Move along, move along.

[grumpster-dumpster]

You are exactly correct about the media.

I give this thread 15 replies before someone tries to turn this particular problem into a "Catholic" problem.

Thanks for the PING.
Best wishes,
-grump

[Desdemona]

Miller's resignation averts a church trial.

Excuse me? Why is he not denounced by the Presbytery? The presbyterians denounce everything else.

[sharktrager]

He was accused of being a presbyterian minister?

[PayNoAttentionManBehindCurtain]

Shouldn't this be a Presbytarin thread? Why all the concern from Catholics? Aren't alot of you the ones who get upset when anyone not catholic posts on your threads?

Just asking:)

Becky

[Jerry_M]

Just goes to show what happens when a denomination strays from its roots. There is no way that any group holding firm to a Calvinistic confession would countenance a homosexual clergyman.

[Matchett-PI]

"Excuse me? Why is he not denounced by the Presbytery? The presbyterians denounce everything else."

Are you merely ignorant/uninformed or just prejudiced?

If your problem is ignorance of the facts, I can help.

Here are excerpted examples of the thinking of one orthodox Presbyterian mentality who rejects the 'religion' of the professing Christians on the Left, some of whom call their organizations "Presbyterian":

The liberalism, feminism, and unbelief found in, for example, the Presbyterian Church in the United States of America (PC USA), although the largest Presbyterian denomination, characterizes how she as a whole has rejected her biblical roots and has adopted liberal and immoral doctrines that render her all but apostate. Churches like the Orthodox Presbyterian Church and the Presbyterian Church in America broke away from the PC USA as early as 1936 due to her pugilistic liberalism which was manifested in her ministries and in her courts. ..." --- "...We reject the liberalism, feminism, and unbelief of the PC USA as described above. Springfield Reformed Church began in April 2000, constituting the first truly Reformed church presence here in this city in nearly 100 years. ..."

There are MANY more examples of Christians who have no problem at all voicing their rejection of what Scripture also rejects. Want more?

[Matchett-PI]

"Just goes to show what happens when a denomination strays from its roots. There is no way that any group holding firm to a Calvinistic confession would countenance a homosexual clergyman."

BINGO! (See my #9)

[Desdemona]

Are you merely ignorant/uninformed or just prejudiced?

I work in a presbyterian church. Just going by what I see and hear. I've never met so many judgemental people in one place in my life.

And actually, that church is a haven for homosexuals. They're welcomed with open arms.

[CCWoody]

Just goes to show what happens when a denomination strays from its roots. There is no way that any group holding firm to a Calvinistic confession would countenance a homosexual clergyman. ~ Jerry_M

That's exactly right. If Arminianism is so wonderful, then why do these weeds keep growing in her garden.

Woody.

[Matchett-PI]

"I work in a presbyterian church. ... actually, that church is a haven for homosexuals. They're welcomed with open arms."

You seem to have ignored what was said in my post (#9)

You continue to attempt to infer that there is some sort of correlation between a Christian organization and one that is apostate. Don't be so defensive.

Oh, and be sure to read #10 again, in case you missed the point of Jerry's reply, too.

[Matchett-PI]

"That's exactly right. If Arminianism is so wonderful, then why do these weeds keep growing in her garden."

Exactly! There really are only two religions; Biblical Christianity and Arminianism.

In Biblical Christianity, God is Sovereign.

In the feminized religion (Eve's), man is sovereign. ("God voted for me -- the devil voted against me -- and I cast the deciding vote"). LOL

[Desdemona]

The main point of this thread was supposed to be the double standard in media reporting....

[Wrigley]

You're looking at this in a glass half empty type of way. If there is lack of reporting of this, its because the Media sees the Roman Catholic church as the church. The rest aren't important enough. From reading the RC posts, I'm kind of surprised you'd be upset. Its a sign of success.

[Desdemona]

If there is lack of reporting of this, its because the Media sees the Roman Catholic church as the church. The rest aren't important enough. From reading the RC posts, I'm kind of surprised you'd be upset. Its a sign of success.

Oh, I'm not upset. Just tired of being picked on. For a variety of reasons from many quarters the Catholic church is a target. Why so much scrutiny on us when other denominations have the same problems? The reports of Baptist Ministers and their fettishes would very disturbing if I were a Baptist.

[CCWoody]

The main point of this thread was supposed to be the double standard in media reporting.... ~ Desdemona

Well, I'm sure that's what you Catholics want to believe. Here's a slightly different take:

Thanks to the problem of pederasty in the wonderful Arminian Catholic Church, the public has been saturated with this type of story. What is one more homosexual abuser to the mind numbed secular citizen? This is not news to him. He could care less. Thanks to your wonderful little problem, the terms pederasty & homosexuality have been linked to the name of Christ for this mind numbed citizen. I'm somehow reminded of this verse:


• The time is coming that whoever kills you will think that he offers God service.

Woody.

[Matchett-PI]

"The main point of this thread was supposed to be the double standard in media reporting...."

Really? LOL!! I was replying to what YOU wrote:

"Excuse me? Why is he not denounced by the Presbytery? The presbyterians denounce everything else."
5 posted on 11/15/2002 9:48 AM EST by Desdemona

Why are you (for the second time) still ignoring the substance of what is written in my reply #9 which was in response to the question you asked?

The intellectually honest recognize examples of willful ignorance and willful avoidance when they see it.

I don't make more than three circles in the boats of one-armed boat rowers. You still have one more chance to prove that you aren't in that catagory. LOL

[Desdemona]

WHat YOU wrote has nothing to do with the main presbytery. It has to do with the orthodox who have broken away due to the liberalism in the main body of the church, which is fine. I don't care because they recognized that the roots of presbyterianism were turned on its head some time ago. It's the church's job to denouce this minister and they haven't done it and won't.

And among the presbyterians that I know, there is NOTHING on which they do not have an opinion. Even when they don't know what they're talking about. And it comes from the people and the pulpit.

And NYer started this thread to demonstrate a double standard. And Grumpster was right...it didn't take long.